Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold 'Pikachu' Oysterflex 126518LN 2026

Reference 126518LN is the Cosmograph Daytona in 18 ct yellow gold on Oysterflex, and the golden dial with black snailed counters is the pairing collectors have taken to calling the Pikachu. The nickname is silly and it has stuck, which is usually a sign the combination works.

What a Daytona is for is timing something and reading an average speed off the bezel, and the tachymetric scale is moulded into the Cerachrom rather than printed on top of it, so it cannot wear away. Calibre 4131 arrived in 2023 as the replacement for the 4130 and brought the Chronergy escapement and a redesigned oscillating weight with it, which is why the power reserve went up without the movement growing.

Gold on a rubber strap is the part worth pausing on. Oysterflex is not rubber over nothing — it is flexible metal blades overmoulded with elastomer, so it holds its shape like a bracelet while weighing a fraction of one. On a solid gold Daytona that changes the watch from something you consider wearing to something you actually wear, and the Glidelock extension means you can adjust it without tools.

Calibre 4131, self-winding chronograph, approximately 72 hours of power reserve, waterproof to 100 metres. The case is 40 mm in 18 ct yellow gold under a black monobloc Cerachrom bezel, on Oysterflex with an Oysterlock safety clasp.

Brand new with its protective stickers still fitted, 2026, offered as a full set. It reaches you second hand and unworn, which is the whole point of it.

Every watch is authenticated by an independent watchmaker before it changes hands, never by us. Viewing by appointment at our Collins Street boutique in Melbourne, insured delivery Australia-wide. We buy Rolex outright and source specific references on request.